BUCKLE

Cast copper alloy medieval single-loop rectangular framed buckle with integral plate. The buckle measures 31.3mm by 21.3mm, is 2.6mm thick and weighs 5.9grams. It is tinned on the front surface and this has suffered less from corrosion. The loop is rectangular, 21.3mm long and 12.4mm wide, it has a notched lip forming a pin rest which is 5.4mm long. The integral plate is broken by an old break with the remaining piece being 16.7mm long and 16.2mm wide. It is constricted after the loop to 14.1 mm wide, then curves outwards in a semi circular lug on both sides to 16.2mm wide, is constricted again to 10.8mm wide, then expands out in a straight line to it's maximum width before breaking. It is pierced with four holes, the largest (4.2mm diameter) in the constriction by the plate then three in a row, one in each of the semi circular lugs (2.5mm in diameter) and a small one in the centre (1.5mm in diameter). At the broken end it is shaped into two bars, 3.4mm wide, each running diagonally outwards from the centre with a empty space beteen them; whether this space was enclosed on the other side forming a diamond shape is not clear due to the breakage. It is also not clear if it was riveted to a strap through the remaining holes or if further rivet holes existed in the lost portion. Although no direct comparison was found it is similar in style to those shown in Whitehead (2003) pages 34 and 35 and thus a date of c.1250 to 1400 is suggested.